Prologue
The Triplets
“I understand you, Annabelle, that’s all. And because I do, I knew certain things would be bigger issues than others, like the whole ‘I love you’ thing. I thought I could afford to be patient. What I don’t understand…what I didn’t see coming…was you walking away.”
His fingers tightened the tiniest degree on her shoulders, and the small gesture gave her a world of insight into the depth of his frustration.
“I was afraid you’d change your mind,” she confessed. “When you asked me to move in, I thought you were keeping your options open. I mean, marriage is a big step…a big public commitment. A divorce takes time. But living together?”
She shrugged. “It’s not so hard to just pack your stuff and leave if things don’t work out. Not that I blame you,” she quickly added when he would have interrupted. “The show took off practically overnight, and suddenly, I realized it was only a matter of time before bits and pieces about my past came to light. Little details like me working at Phoenix. These were my choices, and I always considered them part of what made me…well…me—uninhibited, a little bit wild, and shocking. But I saw how my past had the potential to embarrass or alienate people I cared about, like you, and your family.”
“I love you, Ryan. I love that you’re uninhibited, and, yeah, a little bit wild. As for shocking, well,” he shrugged, “I think you know by now I’m kind of hard to shock. Same goes for my family.”Her heart soared at his words, but she shook her head. Get all the fear out. Drain it like venom.
“Your parents didn’t sign up for notoriety. How are they going to feel when someone posts a video of me stripping on YouTube, and some tabloid reporter shoves a recorder in their faces and asks them if I pole dance at the family barbecues?”
“Honey, if you want to pole dance at the next barbecue, my parents will install a pole. And, as much as I hate to say it”—he grimaced—“my mom would probably be the first in line for a lesson. She keeps talking about what a great workout it’s supposed to be. Obviously, I can’t be there for that, or I’ll have to tear my eyes out, but—”She thwacked the solid wall of muscle he called a chest. “Ryan, I’m not joking.”
“Neither am I. Look, they know. They know how we met, where you’re from, how you got your start. Everything. They also know I love you, and you love me. That’s really all they care about.”
“I hope you’re right because they’re probably stuck with me.”The hand at her back stilled again.
“You figure?”Now her heartbeat kicked up a notch. “If you still want to try…if you’ll still have me…I’d love to move in with you.”
He frowned and shook his head. Her heart did a belly flop straight into her stomach. “I’m sorry, but after everything we’ve been through, the move-in offer is no longer on the table.”Tears threatened again, but she blinked them back. Okay, understandable. You’ll just have to change his mind. She firmed her chin. “I’m ready for the next step. How can I prove it to you?”He gave her a funny look and then cocked an eyebrow. “You really think you’re ready for the next step?”“Yes. Absolutely,” she replied without hesitation. “Bring it on.”“Okay, then.” He drew away from her and eased off the bed until he knelt beside it, facing her. “Remember, you asked for this.”
“Ryan, what are you…” Her words died away when he pulled a small square box out of his pocket and held it out to her.
“I love you. Ryan, I love you.” A dam broke inside her and she reached for him as the words poured out. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her the rest of the way home. And then she was there, snug against him, kissing his mouth, his chin, his jaw, anywhere she could reach while saying “I love you” over and over again.
“Every day,” he said between kisses. “I need to hear you say it every damn day for the rest of our lives. Think you can handle me?”
She eased back, put her hands on his cheeks, and stared into his eyes. “I can handle you, Ian. It’s being without you that I can’t handle.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “Good, because you’re never going to get rid of me again.”
Double Wedding Day
“You sure you’re ready to do this?”
Annabelle met Anaisse’s eyes in the mirror. “Hell yes. We’ve rehearsed and everything. Aren’t you?”
“Me? Yes. I can’t wait. But I know this whole thing was kind of my idea.” She bit her lip and gave Annabelle the big, blue-eyed Bambi stare. “Now I’m worried I’ve rushed you. Maybe you need more time.”
“Nope.” For emphasis, she shook her head. “I’m good. Completely healed.”
“Physically, yes,” Anaisse quickly agreed. “And you’ve never looked more beautiful.” Annabelle watched in the mirror as Anaisse smoothed nervous fingers along the short, silky skirt of Annabelle’s dress. “But are you mentally prepared?”
Was she? She frowned. “I think I am. I mean, how hard can it be? One little strut down the line. All eyes on us. Give ’em a show when we get to the end, then we’re outta here. Easy.”
“Okaaaay. Just so you know, I think the plans leaked to the press. Doing this outdoors was probably a mistake. I can’t promise some paparazzi won’t get a shot. This could be splattered all over the tabloids come tomorrow.”
Now she did feel some hesitation, only because that kind of publicity might not be what Anaisse wanted. “I’m sorry. If you want to pull out, I completely understand.”
“No, no. I want to go for it. I don’t care who sees.”
What a sister. “If you’re good to go, I’m good to go.”
Anaisse smiled, and happiness radiated off her in waves. “All right. I’ll stop stressing.”
“About time. You also look amazing, by the way. Sweet, classy, and hot as hell, all at the same time.” It was true.
Anaisse blushed. “Thanks.”
A rap sounded on the opposite side of the door, and then Val came into the small room. “You”—he pointed at Anaisse—“and you.” He swung the finger toward Annabelle. “Let’s go. The other girls got the crowd warmed up. It’s showtime.”
Annabelle glanced at Anaisse and lifted a brow. “Ready?”
Anaisse nodded.
Val offered them each an arm. They linked up and walked through the door, down a short, marble-floored hall, and along a vine-covered pergola. She heard the music now and tried to pace herself accordingly. They reached the lawn. Sunlight streamed over a runner of white carpet. The pristine path bisected the assembly of guests standing in front of their white-slip-covered folding chairs and ended at a rose-covered lattice arbor where several people waited. Beyond the arbor stretched a breathtaking view of the gleaming mountainous terrain, but gorgeous as the ocean view was from the bluff-top perch of the Kingsom estate they’d rented for this particular event, Annabelle found her attention drawn to the people gathered in front of the arbor.
Ginger, Ariana, and Lee Anne stood on the left, uncharacteristically elegant in shimmering silver sheaths. Opposite them stood the younger Gregorio brothers, two dark-haired, dangerously hot specimens molded from the same formidable clay as Tommy—Michael, the rough, tough, Marine, and the other, the MBA, which Annabelle thought in his case ought to stand for Major Bad-Ass.
Then came Thomas Gregorio, all restrained ruggedness in his black tuxedo, standing next to the placid-faced minister. Her eyes cut right and landed on Ryan, and her heart did a little flutter. God, he looked so handsome. Tall and tanned and cover-model polished, but the civilized tux couldn’t conceal the energy coiled in his lean, hard body, or his innate, alpha-male assurance. That insanely gorgeous, sexy man right there loves you, a little voice whispered.
The music swelled and then subsided when they reached the arbor. Val snuffled loudly, cleared his throat, and said, “Thought you girls were smarter than this,” in a gruff stage whisper that sent a ripple of laughter through the audience. He kissed Anaisse’s cheek, then turned to Annabelle, swept her into a theatrically dramatic embrace, and planted a loud, smacking kiss on her. She raised a hand to her head to keep her hair from spilling out of its sleek twist and used the other hand to feign some damsel-in-distress beating on Val’s back.
He hauled her upright, tapped her chin lightly with his knuckles, and said, “Best move you ever made, kid.” Then he was gone and the minister turned to Anaisse and Tommy. Annabelle watched, teary-eyed, as they pledged their love, their futures, their everything, to each other, and exchanged I-dos.
Then it was Ryan’s turn. She watched his face as he repeated the minister’s words. No hesitation. Not a single stutter. He topped it all off with a slow smile delivered straight to her. The minister turned to her. “And do you, Annabelle, take—”
“I do!” she shouted. Oh, hell yes, she did. She wrapped her arm around Ryan’s neck, fused her mouth to his, and kissed him with everything she had. And kissed him…and kissed him…and kept right on kissing him.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard the guests cheering and clapping. She heard the minister saying, “Wait. Wait…not yet!” and then rushing through the “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife” part.
When she broke away for air, Ryan looked down at her with a devilish glint in his eyes. “Wanna cut out early and get started on the honeymoon?”
Her laugh turned into a squeal when he hauled her up against him and brought his mouth down to hers. “I do,” she whispered when she could speak again, and sealed it with a kiss.
Behind the backdrop of the happy wedding ceremony, an old female uninvited guest was looking at the newly double-wed couple, crying, saying to her heart, “I’m very sorry my triplets, my children, my life secrets will be buried with me. Once, I was an heir of a Billionaire Mafia Boss Emilio Bernardino, but, I chose to hide and live freely. Rocky Ace de Luna, Craig Gomez, and Montero Villar brought Anya to Italy. Where is Anya now?”
XXX
